This is a meeting place for everyone who has an interest in protecting and restoring the biocultural diversity of life. We created this space to nurture a vibrant community of practice that will make us all stronger, more visible, and more effective in the way we do our work. By building bridges among people and worldviews, and by establishing better communication among ourselves, together we are forging unity in biocultural diversity.

Biocultural diversity is the interlinked diversity of nature and culture:the millions of species of plants and animals that have evolved on earth, and the thousands of different cultures and languages that humans have developed by interacting closely with one another and with the natural environment. Biocultural diversity is the pulsating heart of the globe, the multi-faceted expression of the beauty and potential of life on this planet—a precious gift for everyone to cherish and care for.

Yet, the biocultural diversity of life is at grave risk. Global economic, political, and social forces are eroding the vitality and resilience of the world’s ecosystems and cultures. A “converging extinction crisis” is leading to a rapid and vast loss of diversity in all its forms. Losing biocultural diversity means losing the very fabric and vitality of life, losing our present and future options for life on earth.

Thousands of people all over the world are rising to the challenge. From Indigenous peoples and local communities striving to safeguard their landscapes and ways of life, to the many committed others who are working for the cause at local, regional, and global levels, there are countless efforts underway to stop and reverse biocultural diversity loss. But these efforts are often isolated from one another—separate dots, so to speak, on the global map of biocultural diversity conservation. In isolation, one effort can’t learn from the others, and collectively we all can’t learn from them. There is an urgent need to “connect the dots”.

With this portal, we aim to do just that: connect the dots. Researchers, professionals, funders, policy makers, and activists from all over the world involved in biocultural diversity conservation can share experiences and lessons learned, draw lessons from them, discuss obstacles and successes, identify needs and resources, and form a common front to advance our cause of sustaining biocultural diversity. We also offer this space to anyone who would like to learn more about biocultural diversity conservation. We want the portal to be as open, organic, and ever changing as the diversity of life itself. Along with the diversity of species and the diversity of languages and cultures, we embrace the diversity of ideas, and welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and inspiration.

Please join the conversation! On this portal, we have provided a variety of avenues to get involved, through a discussion forum, a project gallery, key articles, and even stories. Take the time to peruse, read, and think. Share your insights with others here, and create meaningful, even practical, connections. This space is for you—for you to use, co-create, and make alive. We look forward to your contributions to this growing community of practice

Langscape
Volume II, Issue 9

Biocultural Diversity Conservation Projects:
A community of practice.
Emerging Values through Experience

download issue

Featuring articles by Felipe Montoya Greenheck, and Michelle Cocks, new Global Sourcebook projects, and more.

To receive Langscape, Terralingua’s semi-annual e-magazine, join Terralingua’s growing network of members:

What you’ll find on this portal:

Share your Story
Read real-life stories about biocultural diversity, or tell your own story. An exercise in renewing the tradition of learning through storytelling.

Explore the Projects
Visit our showcase of biocultural diversity conservation projects. An ever-expanding gallery of projects from all continents that take an integrative approach to conservation.
Read  About Solutions
Browse cutting-edge articles on conserving biocultural diversity, or submit your own article. The best of our collective understanding of what works, when, why, and how in biocultural diversity conservation.

Join the Conversation
Take part in a lively online discussion about biocultural diversity conservation. Where we all come together to network, share ideas, and learn from one another.